JP2004295603A - Information display controller, server, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance using convenience for an information display controller, by converting a kind of input characters input by a keyboard or the like into a character kind suitable for retrieval processing in a dictionary database of a retrieval object. <P>SOLUTION: A keyboard of an electronic dictionary allows switching among a Kana character input, an English character input and a numeral character input (a). When input not by a Kana character but an English character of "PDA" in use of the electronic dictionary as own native (Japanese) language (b), the English character is converted into a Kana inscription of reading the English character as Japanese language pronunciation, to be expressed as the Kana characters corresponding to the English character (c). An entry word conformed with the converted Kana characters corresponding the English character is read out from the Japanese dictionary database to be displayed as headword candidates, and explanation information of the selected headword candidates is read out from the Japanese dictionary database to be displayed (d). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information display control device and a program.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an information display control device called an electronic dictionary that incorporates several types of dictionary databases (hereinafter, the database is appropriately referred to as “DB”) such as a Japanese language dictionary, an English-Japanese dictionary, a Japanese-English dictionary, and an English-English dictionary. The dictionary DB is systematically constructed so that a set of information in which headwords are associated with explanatory information that explains and explains the headwords can be searched using a computer. It was done.
[0003]
A general electronic dictionary is provided with a keyboard and a display, and a user selects a type of a dictionary database to be used with the keyboard and inputs a character to be looked up in the dictionary (a character to be looked up in the dictionary). The electronic dictionary reads, from a dictionary database of the selected type, explanatory information corresponding to a headword that matches the input character input with the keyboard, and causes the display to display the information. Here, the term “match” means not only a case where the input character completely matches the entry word but also a case where a part of the input character partially matches a part of the entry word. Therefore, the user can check the input character by the electronic dictionary and know the meaning of the input character and the meaning of the word related to the input character.
[0004]
By the way, the headword of each dictionary database has a predetermined character type according to the characteristics of the dictionary. Therefore, when inputting a character to be searched in the dictionary, unless the character type of the input character is set to the character type of the entry word in the dictionary database, the electronic dictionary cannot be correctly searched. For example, in the case of an English-Japanese dictionary, entry words are written in alphabetic characters (alphabet), so that search processing cannot be performed even if input characters are entered in kana characters.
[0005]
In order to properly match the character type of the input characters, some conventional electronic dictionaries perform a process of automatically switching the character type input with the keyboard to the character type of the entry word in the selected dictionary database. . For example, if the electronic dictionary is used as a Japanese language dictionary and then used as an English-Japanese dictionary, the keyboard is automatically switched from the so-called kana character input mode to the English character input mode when the user selects the English-Japanese dictionary. When you operate, English characters will be input.
[0006]
Also, for example, if a character is entered in the kana input mode and the press of the "conversion" key intended to convert a certain word is detected, the Japanese dictionary is searched according to the arrangement of the keys input up to the detection of the "conversion" key. However, if it does not make sense as Japanese, it is also known that it converts from the conversion table of the key layout to alphanumeric characters corresponding to the corresponding key and combines the converted alphanumeric characters to generate alphanumeric conversion candidate words (For example, refer to Patent Document 1; corresponds to all claims). In this case, for example, after using the electronic dictionary as the Japanese language dictionary, if the user wants to continue to check “GUI” in the English-Japanese dictionary, the kana character input mode corresponding to “G” “U” “I” in the alphabet input mode When the "ki", "na", and "ni" keys are pressed, "GUI" can be input in the kana input mode.
[0007]
[Patent Document 1]
JP 2001-290813 A
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, a technique for appropriately converting the character type of an input character input from a keyboard according to a dictionary database to be used has been known. However, for example, when the user wants to look up the meaning of English converted into Japanese (for example, “DNA”, “LAN”, etc.) by using a Japanese language dictionary, the user reads such English into general Japanese reading (“ "Penue" or "Ran"), and the operation was complicated. Furthermore, there is a problem that if the target English reading of Japanese is not known, it is not possible to even look up in a dictionary.
[0009]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to convert a character type of an input character input with a keyboard or the like into a character type appropriate for a search process in a dictionary database to be searched. Therefore, the usability of the information display control device is further improved.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problem, an information display control device according to the first aspect of the present invention (for example, the portable electronic dictionary 1200 in FIG. 1) collects information in which headwords and explanation information are associated with each other. A storage unit (for example, the ROM 30 in FIG. 2) for storing the set information (for example, the Japanese language dictionary database 33 in FIG. 2) and a selection unit (for example, the character type in FIG. 1) for selecting a keyboard character type when inputting an input character The switching key 1224, the CPU 10 in FIG. 2, the input character type switching operation unit 41, steps S4 to S6 in FIG. 6, and input means for inputting the input character with the character type of the keyboard selected by the selection means (for example, FIG. The character key 1222, the CPU 10 in FIG. 2, the operation input unit 40, and step S8 in FIG. 6), and the input character of the selected keyboard character type input by the input means. Conversion means (for example, CPU 10 in FIG. 2, English kana conversion table 34, kana kana conversion table 35, and steps S12 to S20 in FIG. 6) for converting into a character of the character type of the entry word included in the set information, and this conversion A display control unit (for example, FIG. 2) that reads out and displays headwords and explanation information of the headword that match the input characters converted to the character type of the headword from the set information. CPU 10, display unit 50, and steps S40 to S44 in FIG. 6).
[0011]
The program according to the ninth aspect of the present invention stores, in a computer, set information (for example, the national language dictionary database 33 in FIG. 2) in which information in which headwords and explanation information are associated with each other is collected. A function (for example, ROM 30 in FIG. 2) and a selection function for selecting a character type of a keyboard when inputting an input character (for example, a character type switching key 1224 in FIG. 1, a CPU 10 in FIG. 2, an input character type switching operation unit 41, FIG. 6, steps S4 to S6), and an input function of inputting the input character with the character type of the keyboard selected by the selection function (for example, the character key 1222 in FIG. 1, the CPU 10 in FIG. 2, the operation input unit 40, the operation input unit 40 in FIG. 6). Step S8), changing the input character of the selected keyboard character type input by the input function into a character of the headword character type included in the set information. (For example, the CPU 10 in FIG. 2, the English-Kana conversion table 34, the Kana-kana conversion table 35, and steps S12 to S20 in FIG. 6), and the input characters converted into the character type of the entry word by this conversion function. A display control function for performing control to read and display a matching headword and explanation information of the headword from the set information (for example, the CPU 10 in FIG. 2, the display unit 50, and steps S40 to S44 in FIG. 6). And realize.
[0012]
According to the first or ninth aspect of the invention, when a character type is selected and an input character is input from the keyboard, the input character is converted into a character of the character type of the entry word included in the set information by the conversion means. Then, the display control unit reads an entry word that matches the converted input character from the set information. For this reason, even if the character type at the time of input from the keyboard is different from the character type of the entry word of the set information, the target explanatory information can be displayed accurately.
[0013]
Regarding the character type to be converted, as in the invention according to claim 2, in the information display control device according to claim 1, the conversion unit performs the input when the character type of the selected keyboard is an alphabet. Alphabet reading conversion means (for example, CPU 10 in FIG. 2, English kana conversion table 34, FIG. 2) for converting the reading of the alphabet for each character into input characters represented by kana, which is the character type of the entry word included in the set information. 4 of the English-Kana conversion table 34-1, and the alphabetic characters of steps S14 to S16 and S20 in FIG. 6).
[0014]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the same effects as those of the first aspect of the invention can be obtained, and when a character to be looked up in the dictionary is input in alphabetical letters (alphabet) from the keyboard, the input alphabetic character is entered one by one. Can be converted to kana, which is the character type of the entry word included in the set information. Therefore, for example, when using a Japanese language dictionary, it is possible to convert the alphabet into Japanese kana characters and read it in the Japanese language dictionary, even if you input the unreadable (Japanese) English as it is. Become.
[0015]
Further, as in the invention according to claim 3, in the information display control device according to claim 1 or 2, when the character type of the selected keyboard is an alphabet, the conversion means Roman alphabet reading conversion means (for example, CPU 10 in FIG. 2, English kana conversion table 34, and English kana conversion table in FIG. 4) for converting Roman alphabet reading into input characters represented by kana, which is the character type of the entry word included in the set information. 34-2, alphabets of step S14 in FIG. 6 to S16, S20).
[0016]
According to the third aspect of the present invention, the same effect as the first or second aspect of the invention can be obtained, and when a character to be looked up in the dictionary is input from the keyboard in alphabetical (alphabetic) characters, the input alphabet is read in Roman characters. Can be converted into characters represented by kana, which is the character type of the entry word included in the set information. Therefore, for example, when a Japanese language dictionary is used, even if the Japaneseized English whose pronunciation is not understood is input as it is, it is possible to convert the alphabet into kana characters read in Japanese and search in the Japanese language dictionary.
[0017]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the information display control device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the collective information includes an additional word (for example, The sub-entry 33b) of FIG. 3 is included, and the conversion unit, if the additional information matching the input character according to the character type of the selected keyboard is included in the set information, converts the input character into It is characterized by having means (for example, CPU 10 in FIG. 2, step S34 in FIG. 10) for converting the additional word into a headword.
[0018]
The additional word is information other than the explanation information provided along with the entry word, and corresponds to, for example, a so-called “sub entry word” in the dictionary DB.
According to the invention described in claim 4, the same effect as that of the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 3 can be obtained, and the character type of the input character input from the keyboard corresponds to the compatible additional word. Can be converted into a headword.
[0019]
According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the information display control device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the conversion unit includes a character type of the selected keyboard which is a number and is included in the set information. When the character type of the headword to be found is a kana, the number reading conversion means (for example, the CPU 10 in FIG. 2, the kana-kana conversion table 35, and FIG. (Steps S14 to S18 to S20).
[0020]
According to the invention described in claim 5, the same effect as the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 4 is obtained, and when Arabic numerals are input from the keyboard, the input Arabic numerals are summed. You can convert a number reading into a character represented by a kana. Therefore, it is only necessary to input the number itself without inputting the reading of the number, so that usability is improved.
[0021]
According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the information display control device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, an editing unit (for example, a keyboard 1220 in FIG. 1) that edits the input character converted by the conversion unit. , The CPU 10 of FIG. 2, the operation input unit 40, and a return from step S22 of FIG. 6 to step S2), wherein the display control means includes a headword matching the input character edited by the editing means and It has a post-editing input character information display control means (for example, CPU 10 in FIG. 2, display unit 50, and steps S40 to S44 in FIG. 6) for controlling to read out and display the explanation information of the entry word from the set information. It is characterized by the following.
[0022]
According to the invention described in claim 6, the same effect as the invention described in any one of claims 1 to 5 can be obtained, and the input character whose character type has been converted by the conversion unit can be edited to edit the character. You can add, delete and change.
[0023]
The server according to the present invention is a headword for a server (for example, the server 1300 in FIG. 12) connected to a user terminal (for example, the mobile phone 1100 in FIG. 12) via a predetermined communication line. Storage means (for example, the ROM 30 of FIG. 13) for storing set information (for example, the national language dictionary database 33 of FIG. 13) in which information in which information and correspondence information are associated with each other; Receiving means (for example, CPU 10 in FIG. 13, communication unit 60, step S108 in FIG. 14), and input characters received by this receiving means are converted into characters of the character type of the entry word included in the set information. (For example, the CPU 10 in FIG. 13 and steps S110 to S120 in FIG. 14) and the input character converted to the character type of the entry word by the conversion means. Dego and transmitting means (e.g., CPU 10 in FIG. 13, the communication unit 60, step S140 of FIG. 14) for transmitting the description information of the headword to the user terminal characterized in that it comprises a a.
[0024]
According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a program for storing, in a computer connected to a user terminal via a predetermined communication line, set information in which information in which headwords and explanation information are associated is collected. A storage function for storing (for example, ROM 30 in FIG. 13), a receiving function for receiving input characters from the user terminal (for example, CPU 10, communication unit 60 in FIG. 13, step S108 in FIG. 14), A conversion function (for example, CPU 10 in FIG. 13; steps S110k and S120 in FIG. 14) for converting the received input characters into characters of the character type of the entry word included in the set information; A transmission function (for example, the CPU 10 and the communication unit 6 shown in FIG. , To realize, and step S140) in FIG. 14.
[0025]
According to the invention as set forth in claim 7 or 10, the input character received from the user terminal is converted into a character of the character type of the entry word included in the set information, and the set information is converted from the set information based on the converted input character. The headword can be searched and read, and transmitted to the user terminal. From the viewpoint of the user terminal, it is possible to receive the explanation information without inputting the input characters in consideration of the character type of the entry word in the set information.
[0026]
Furthermore, as in the invention according to claim 8, in the server according to claim 7, the input character converted by the conversion means is transmitted to the user terminal after the input character transmission means (for example, FIG. 13 The CPU 10, the communication unit 60, and step S118 in FIG. 14) may be further provided.
[0027]
According to the invention described in claim 8, the same effect as that of the invention described in claim 7 can be obtained, and the converted input character can be transmitted to the user terminal. Therefore, the user terminal knows how the input characters have been converted.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[First Embodiment]
With reference to FIGS. 1 to 10, as a first embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a portable electronic dictionary having a national language dictionary database (DB), which is a type of information display control device, will be described. Will be explained.
Note that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, electronic devices such as a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a notebook computer, an electronic timepiece, and an electronic dictionary that store a dictionary database. Applicable in general. The dictionary database to be used is not limited to the Japanese language dictionary, but may be applied to other types of dictionaries such as a term dictionary, an encyclopedia, a Katakana dictionary, a thesaurus, and an English-Japanese dictionary.
[0029]
[Description of configuration]
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an appearance of a portable electronic dictionary 1200 according to the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 11A, the portable electronic dictionary 1200 includes a display 1202 for displaying and outputting the contents of the dictionary, a keyboard 1220 for inputting various operations by a user, and an external device connected to the communication line 2. And a memory card reader 1206 for reading and writing data by mounting a memory card 4 as a storage medium.
[0030]
As shown in FIG. 13B, a keyboard 1220 is used to input (1) a character key 1222 for character input and (2) a character type selection operation (switching operation) to be input by the character key 1222. A character type switch key 1224, (3) a translation / decision key 1226 for inputting an instruction such as confirmation of an operation, and (4) a direction key 1228 for moving an input cursor or inputting a selection instruction from a list. Prepare.
[0031]
The keyboard 1200 according to the present embodiment corresponds to a keyboard for inputting alphabets in which alphabets are engraved on character keys 1222, that is, a so-called alphabet keyboard, but is not limited to this. When a plurality of dictionary DBs are provided without being limited to the Japanese language dictionary, a dictionary switching key 1229 for selecting / designating a dictionary DB to be used as appropriate may be provided.
[0032]
The user inputs characters to be looked up in the dictionary (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as “input characters”) and various selection operations from the keyboard 1220 according to the contents displayed on the display 1202, and is read from the Japanese language dictionary DB. The display information of the input character is confirmed on the display 1202.
[0033]
[Explanation of functional blocks]
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of portable electronic dictionary 1200 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the portable electronic dictionary 1200 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 10, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 20, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 30, an operation input unit 40, and a display unit 50. , A communication unit 60, and a storage medium reading unit 70, and each block is connected via a bus 80 so that data can be transmitted and received.
[0034]
The CPU 10 controls the portable electronic dictionary 1200 by reading out a predetermined program and executing arithmetic processing according to various operation inputs from the operation input unit 40. Specifically, for example, a program stored in the ROM 30 is read in response to a key press signal or the like input from the operation input unit 40, and arithmetic processing is executed in accordance with the program. Then, the result of the arithmetic processing is stored in the RAM 20, and based on the processing, a display signal is output to the display unit 50 to display various information. In the present embodiment, in particular, input character type switching processing and input character conversion processing are executed.
[0035]
The input character type switching process is a process of switching the character type input by the character keys 1222 of the keyboard 1220. The character type is, for example, hiragana (hereinafter referred to as “kana” as appropriate), a foreign language alphabet (hereinafter referred to as “alphabet” as appropriate), or Arabic numeral (hereinafter referred to as “numeric” as appropriate).
By the input character type switching process, in this embodiment, every time the character type switching key 1224 is pressed, the character type of the input character is switched in the order of “Kana” → “Alphabet” → “Numeric” → “Kana”. be able to.
[0036]
In the input character conversion process, when the character type of the character input by the user is not a kana character, the input character is converted into a kana character that can be looked up in a Japanese language dictionary. Since the dictionary DB in the present embodiment is a Japanese language dictionary, headwords are represented by kana characters. Therefore, for example, "DNA", which means a gene having a double helix structure, is converted to "de-enue" in kana by input character conversion processing.
[0037]
The RAM 20 includes a storage area (memory) for temporarily storing various processing programs to be executed by the CPU 10, data for executing these programs, and the like. In the present embodiment, an input character storage area 22 for storing information of a character input by a user operation, and an entry word candidate storage for storing a result of performing a search process of an entry word matching the input character from a dictionary DB. Region 24.
[0038]
For example, when the character input by the user is “DNA”, the input character storage area 22 stores character information (for example, a continuous character code group) of the alphabetical character “DNA”, and after conversion, the kana character “ "Denue". Then, in the headword candidate storage area 24, a headword that matches the converted input character “de-enue” is searched from the Japanese language dictionary database, and the headword that is the search result is obtained. Are stored as entry word candidates.
[0039]
The ROM 30 stores various processing programs related to the operation of the portable electronic dictionary 1200, and system programs and data for realizing various functions of the portable electronic dictionary 1200.
[0040]
In the present embodiment, particularly, as the programs, a character type switching program 31 for causing the CPU 10 to execute the input character type switching process and an input character conversion program 32 for causing the CPU 10 to execute the input character type conversion process are stored. . As data, a Japanese language dictionary database (DB) 33, an English kana conversion table 34, and a kana conversion table 35 are stored.
[0041]
The Japanese language dictionary database 33 is a dictionary DB for Japanese Japanese language dictionaries.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data configuration example of the national language dictionary database 33 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the national language dictionary database 33 in the present embodiment stores a headword 33a written in kana characters, a description of the headword in the original character type, and a kanji notation of the headword. The sub-entry 33b is stored in association with explanation information 33c that provides detailed explanation and explanation of the meaning of the entry. In the present embodiment, since the Japanese language dictionary is used as an example, the headwords 33a are all written in kana characters. However, in the case of a foreign language dictionary, etc., the headwords 33a may be used as katakana as appropriate. good.
[0042]
The English kana conversion table 34 is table data that associates English characters with kana characters and is referred to in input character conversion processing.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the English kana conversion table 34 in the present embodiment. FIG. 9A shows an example of an English kana conversion table 34-1 suitable for converting each English character. In this table, the English character 34a of the English kana conversion table 34-1 to be referred to is stored in association with the Japanese character kana reading 34b which is the kana character of Japanese reading.
[0043]
FIG. 13B shows an example of an English kana conversion table 34-2 suitable for converting a single English character or a plurality of English characters as a set. In the table, a single or plural pairs of English characters 34c and a Roman character reading 34d which is a kana character of a reading based on the Roman character notation are stored in association with each other. For example, “SA” is associated with “sa”, and “KYA” is associated with “ki”. Here, the stored Roman character reading 34d includes not only the reading based on the Roman character notation but also the conventional reading based on the Roman character notation. For example, “M” may be associated with “mu”, “Q” may be associated with “ku”, and “Z” may be associated with “zu”.
[0044]
In the input character conversion processing, the English kana conversion table 34 of each of these formats is referred to individually or in combination as appropriate, and characters of character types other than kana (in this embodiment, alphabetic or numeric characters) are searched for in the Japanese language dictionary DB 33. Convert to the kana character that is the same character type as the word.
[0045]
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of the kana-kana conversion table 35 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the kana-kana conversion table 35 stores a single or a plurality of consecutive numerals 35a and the kana reading 35b, which is a kana character of the sum and numeral reading, in association with each other.
[0046]
In the input character conversion process, if the input character is a number, the input character conversion unit 35 refers to the kana-kana conversion table 35 and converts the character to a kana character having the same character type as the headword of the Japanese language dictionary DB 33 according to the table.
[0047]
The operation input unit 40 is realized by, for example, a button switch, a lever, a dial, a mouse, and a keyboard. The operation input unit 40 inputs characters to be looked up in a dictionary and various operations, and outputs an operation input signal to the CPU 10. In particular, the present embodiment includes an input character type switching operation unit 41 for inputting a character type switching operation (selection operation) of an input character input in response to an operation input signal from character key 1222. The operation input unit 40 corresponds to the keyboard 1220 in FIG. 1, and the input character type switching operation unit 41 corresponds to the character type switching key 1224.
[0048]
The display unit 50 is a display device that can display characters and images based on display signals input from the CPU 10, and is realized by, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), an ELD (Electronic Luminescent Display), or the like. The display unit 50 corresponds to the display 1202 in FIG.
[0049]
The communication unit 60 connects to the communication line 2 and performs data communication with an external device. For example, it is realized by a module such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or IrDA, a modem, a TA, a jack of a communication cable for wire, a control circuit, and the like. The communication device 1204 in FIG. 1 corresponds to this.
[0050]
The storage medium reading unit 70 is means for reading and writing data on a storage medium 72 such as an IC memory card, a CD-ROM, an MO, a DVD-RAM, an FD (registered trademark), and a hard disk. In FIG. 1, the memory card reader 1206 corresponds to the storage medium reading unit 70, and the memory card 4 corresponds to the storage medium 72.
[0051]
A configuration in which some or all of the programs and data stored in the RAM 20 and the ROM 30 are received by the communication unit 60 from an external device such as a server via the communication line 2 and stored in the RAM 20 or the storage medium 72. It is good. The program may be received from a server or the like via the communication line 2 and installed, or installed from the storage medium 72.
[0052]
[Explanation of processing flow]
Next, the flow of processing will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the present embodiment. The processing shown here is realized by the CPU 10 reading and executing the system program, the character type switching program 31, and the input character conversion program 32. 7 to 9 are diagrams showing examples of the display screen in each operation example.
[0053]
[Operation example (1)]
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in the operation example (1) according to the present embodiment, and illustrates a case where “PDA” is checked using the Japanese language dictionary DB.
[0054]
As shown in FIG. 6, the CPU 10 first sets the input character type input from the character key 1222 of the keyboard 1220 to "kana" (step S2). That is, when the user operates the character keys 1222 according to a predetermined input method (for example, Roman character input or kana turning input), kana characters are input. When Japanese is to be looked up in a Japanese language dictionary, it is only necessary to input characters to be looked up in the dictionary from the keyboard 1220 in this initial state, so that it is convenient to use.
[0055]
The reason why the input character type is set to “Kana” in step S2 is that the headword 33a of the Japanese language dictionary DB 33 is written in kana characters, and the character type set in the initial state is Set appropriately according to the character type of the entry word. For example, in the case of a Katakana dictionary, it is set to "Kata kana", and in the case of an English dictionary, it is set to "English characters". In the case of selecting a DB to be used from a plurality of dictionary DBs, each time a dictionary DB is selected, the setting is made according to the character type of the entry word in the dictionary DB.
[0056]
When using a dictionary to search for words including words or numbers that are conventionally used using English characters, such as Japanese-language English, the character type of the input character is switched using the character type switching key 1224 and input. When the operation of switching the character type of the input character is performed by pressing the character type switching key 1224 (step S4; YES), the CPU 10 executes the input character type switching process, and for example, the number of times the character type switching key 1224 is operated (the number of presses) is reduced. Accordingly, the character type of the input character is sequentially switched to “Kana” → “English character” → “Number” → “Kana” (step S6). Then, a character to be looked up in the dictionary is input from the character key 1222 (step S8).
[0057]
FIG. 7A corresponds to the display screen in step S2. “Kana key” is displayed in the input character type display field A1 at the upper right of the screen, indicating that the character type that can be currently input on the keyboard 1220 is “Kana”.
In the case of examining “PDA”, conventionally, the user had to input “pad-e-e” in consideration of the pseudonym reading of “PDA”. However, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, the character type switch key 1224 is pressed once, and the keyboard 1220 is switched to the alphabet input and input. When the character type is switched, an “alphabet key” is displayed in the input character type display field A1. When the character key 1222 is operated, the alphabetic character is displayed in the input field A2 regardless of the input method (for example, the Roman character input or the kana turning type input). Is entered.
[0058]
If a character is input, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the input character type is "Kana" (step S10).
[0059]
If the character type of the input character is "Kana" (step S10; YES), a headword 33a that matches the input character is read out from the Japanese language dictionary database 33 and displayed as a headword candidate as in the conventional case (step S10). Step S40). Then, if any of the displayed headword candidates is selected by the user's selection operation (step S42; YES), the CPU 10 reads the explanation information 33c corresponding to the selected headword 33a. Then, it is displayed on the display 1202 (step S44).
[0060]
When the character type of the input character is different from “kana” (step S10; NO), the reading of the entry word 33a is not executed.
[0061]
If the user presses the right arrow of the direction key 1228 to input a reading conversion operation (step S12; YES), the CPU 10 executes an input character conversion process to convert the input characters into kana characters. .
[0062]
First, the CPU 10 determines the character type of the input character (step S14).
If the character type is English (step S14; English), the input character storage area 22 is updated with reference to the English kana conversion table 34 (step S16), and the input character is converted from English to kana (step S20). . If the character type is a numeral (step S14; numeral), the input character storage area 22 is updated with reference to the kana-kana conversion table 35 (step S18), and the input character is converted from an alphabetic character to a kana character (step S20). .
[0063]
Then, the CPU 10 updates the display of the input field A2 with the converted input characters (step S22), and returns to step S2. Returning to step S2, input characters input in a character type other than kana are converted into kana characters, and then automatically enter a kana character input state. This is convenient when input characters are continuously added.
[0064]
FIG. 7C corresponds to the screen display on the display 1202 in step S40 when “PDA” is searched in the Japanese dictionary DB. If the initial input character “PDA” is converted by the input character conversion process based on, for example, the English kana conversion table 34-1, the “PDA” is converted into “ぴ”, “de ぃ”, and “er” for each character. This is displayed in the input field A2. Then, since all the input characters have been converted to kana characters, in step S40, the headword 33a that matches "Peed-e-e" is read out (searched), and is found as the headword candidate A3. A list is displayed.
[0065]
In step S42, when the entry word candidate A3 is selected with the direction key 1228 and the selection of the entry word is input with the translation / decision key 1226, the entry corresponding to the input character is input as shown in FIG. The word A4, the sub-entry A5, and the explanation information A6 are displayed, and the user can know the meaning of “PDA”.
[0066]
As described above, the English kana conversion table 34-1 is effective for conversion of words in which English characters are written one by one (for example, "X-ray", "DNA; double helix gene", etc.).
[0067]
[Operation example (2)]
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the operation example (2) in the present embodiment, and shows a case in which "RAM" is checked with the Japanese language dictionary DB. In the input character conversion process in the operation example, the English kana conversion table 34-2 is referred to.
[0068]
FIG. 11A corresponds to step S2 in FIG.
When searching "RAM" in the Japanese language dictionary DB, the user does not need to convert the kana into kana in consideration of the reading, and as shown in FIG. Change to an alphabetic character and enter “RAM” in alphabetical characters from character key 1222.
[0069]
Then, when the right arrow of the direction key 1228 is pressed, the input character conversion processing refers to the English kana conversion table 34-2, and “RA” and “M” of “RAM” are the respective Roman character readings 34d. Are converted to "la" and "mu", and "ram" is displayed in the input field A2 as shown in FIG. Since all input characters have been converted to kana characters, in step S40, headwords 33a that match "ram" are read out (searched) and displayed as a list as headword candidates A3.
[0070]
In step S42, when the entry word candidate A3 is selected with the direction key 1228 and the selection of the entry word is entered with the translation / decision key 1226, the entry corresponding to the input character is input as shown in FIG. The word A4, the sub-entry word A5, and the explanation information A6 are displayed.
[0071]
As described above, the English kana conversion table 34-2 is effective for converting words that conventionally read English characters in Roman characters (for example, “LAN; run (local area network)”).
[0072]
[Operation example (3)]
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen in the operation example (3) in the present embodiment, and shows a case where "eighty-eight nights" is checked in the Japanese language dictionary DB.
[0073]
FIG. 11A corresponds to step S2 in FIG.
In the case of examining “eighty-eight nights” in the Japanese language dictionary DB, conventionally, it was necessary for the user to convert to kana in consideration of the reading and to input a large number of characters “Hachiju Hachiya”. However, in the present embodiment, the input character type is changed from “Kana” to a number by the character type switch key 1224 as shown in FIG. 88 ".
[0074]
Then, when the right arrow of the direction key 1228 is pressed, the input character conversion processing refers to the kana-kana conversion table 35 and reads the kana reading 35b corresponding to “8” and “88” of the numeral 35a. That is, "Hachi-Hachi", which is obtained by converting "88" with "8", and "Hachi-ju-Hachi", which considers "88" as one continuous number, are read. Here, every time the right arrow of the direction key 1228 is pressed, it is alternately converted into “Hachi-Hachi” and “Hachi-Ju-Hachi”. Since this operation example is aimed at examining "eighty-eight nights", if "hachiju-hachi" is displayed, it is displayed in the input field A2 as shown in FIG. Then, since all the input characters have been converted to kana characters, in step S40, the headword 33a that matches "Hachijuhachi" is read (searched) and displayed as a list as headword candidates A3. Is done.
[0075]
In step S42, when the entry word candidate A3 is selected with the direction key 1228 and the selection of the entry word is entered with the translation / decision key 1226, the entry corresponding to the input character is input as shown in FIG. The word A4, the sub-entry A5, and the explanation information A6 are displayed.
[0076]
In this way, by referring to the kana-kana conversion table 35, it is possible to effectively execute the conversion of a word including a numeral (for example, “18th”, “15th night”).
[0077]
[Second embodiment]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, a modified example of the input character conversion process will be described as a second embodiment according to the present invention. This embodiment can be basically realized by the same components as those in the first embodiment, and the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.
[0078]
FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the present embodiment. Steps different from those of the first embodiment are denoted by S30 units.
[0079]
As shown in the figure, in the present embodiment, when a reading conversion operation is input (step S12; YES), the CPU 10 refers to the Japanese language dictionary DB 33 to perform a subheading including the input character in the input character conversion process. The word 33b is read (step S30). If a sub-entry word 33b including the input character exists and is read out (step S32; YES), the CPU 10 sets the input character to the entry corresponding to the sub-entry word 33b read out in step S30. It is converted into the word 33a (step S34). Then, the CPU 10 updates the display of the input field A2 to the converted input characters (step S22).
[0080]
If the sub-entry word 33b including the input character does not exist in the Japanese language dictionary DB 33 and cannot be read out (step S32; NO), similarly to the first embodiment, the English-Kana conversion table 34 or the Kana-Kana conversion The input characters are converted with reference to the table 35 (steps S14 to S20), and the display of the input field A2 is updated to the converted input characters (step S22).
[0081]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in an operation example according to the present embodiment, and illustrates a case where “RAM” is checked using a Japanese language dictionary DB.
[0082]
FIG. 11A corresponds to step S2 in FIG. When searching "RAM" in the Japanese language dictionary DB, the user does not need to convert the kana into kana in consideration of the reading, and as shown in FIG. Change to an alphabetic character and enter “RAM” in alphabetical characters from character key 1222.
[0083]
Then, when the right arrow of the direction key 1228 is pressed as shown in FIG. 13C, the sub-entry 33b including “RAM” is read from the Japanese language dictionary DB 33 by the input character conversion process, and the input character is The sub-entry 33b that has been read is converted into “ram”, which is the entry 33a. Since all input characters have been converted to kana characters, headwords 33a including "ram" are read (searched) in step S40, and are displayed as a list as headword candidates A3.
[0084]
In step S42, when the entry word candidate A3 is selected with the direction key 1228 and the selection of the entry word is entered with the translation / decision key 1226, the entry corresponding to the input character is input as shown in FIG. The word A4, the sub-entry A5, and the explanation information A6 are displayed.
[0085]
[Third Embodiment]
Next, a third embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. Note that, in the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted.
[0086]
[Description of configuration]
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the present embodiment includes a mobile phone 1100, which is a type of information terminal device, a communication line 2, and a server 1300 that manages a website that provides a Japanese language dictionary service.
[0087]
The mobile phone 1100 is a so-called multi-function mobile phone having a display 1102, and can access the server 1300 via the communication line 2 to realize data transmission and reception. Specifically, the user can access the Web site of the server 1300 by connecting to the Internet and obtain various information. Using the operation keys 1120, various operation inputs such as character input, selection, and determination based on each character type such as kana, alphabetic characters, and numbers can be performed.
[0088]
The “Japanese language dictionary service” here is a service in which the server 1300 receives input characters input by the mobile phone 1100, checks the explanation information thereof, and returns the same to the mobile phone 1100. In other words, the service can use the mobile phone 1100 as if it were an electronic dictionary. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that server 1300 operates a Web site, and mobile phone 1100 accesses the Web site by a known Internet access technology to receive a service. Since the mobile phone 1100 is known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
[0089]
[Explanation of functional blocks]
FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of server 1300 according to the present embodiment. As shown in the figure, the server 1300 has a CPU 110, a RAM 120, a ROM 130, and a communication unit 160, and each block is connected via a bus 180 so that data can be transmitted and received.
[0090]
The CPU 110 corresponds to the CPU 10 of FIG. 2, and a detailed description will be omitted. Similarly, the RAM 120 corresponds to the RAM 20 in FIG. 2, the ROM 130 corresponds to the ROM 30 in FIG. 2, the communication unit 160 corresponds to the display unit 60 in FIG. 2, and the bus 180 corresponds to the bus 80 in FIG. In addition, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.
[0091]
In the present embodiment, the Web site management program 36 and the site information 37 are particularly stored in the ROM 130.
[0092]
The CPU 110 reads and executes the Web site management program 36 to perform data communication with an external device (in this case, the mobile phone 1100) connected via the communication line 2 to realize a Japanese language dictionary service through the Web site. Can be. It is assumed that various kinds of information necessary for the operation of the Web site are prepared in advance and stored in the site information 37.
[0093]
Note that the Japanese language dictionary database 33, the English-Kana conversion table 34, and the Kana-kana conversion table 35 are not limited to being stored in the ROM 130, but may be stored in another storage medium such as a hard disk, a CD-ROM, or a memory card. Of course it is good. Further, a configuration in which the information is stored in a database device provided outside and used as appropriate may be adopted.
[0094]
[Explanation of processing flow]
FIG. 14 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of processing in the present embodiment. The processing described here is realized by executing a character input program and a well-known Internet access program (specifically, a Web site browsing program) in the mobile phone 1100. In the server 1300, the CPU 110 This is realized by reading and executing the system program, the input character conversion program 32, and the Web site management program 36.
[0095]
First, the mobile phone 1100 accesses a Web site of a Japanese language dictionary service (step S102). When the mobile phone 1100 accesses the site, thereafter, various data transmission / reception, for example, in the HTML format is established between the mobile phone 1100 and the server 1300.
[0096]
A character desired to be looked up in the dictionary is input on the mobile phone 1100 (step S104). As in the first embodiment, the user does not need to consider the reading of the character to be examined. For example, when examining a word that is conventionally used in English notation such as Japanese-language English, alphabetical characters are appropriately used. Switch to input and enter in alphabetic characters. If a character is input, mobile phone 1100 transmits the input character to server 1300 (step S106).
[0097]
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display on the display 1102 according to the present embodiment, and illustrates a case where “RAM” is checked using a Japanese language dictionary service. FIG. 14A corresponds to a state in which “RAM” has been input to the input field B2 on the mobile phone 1100. Here, a predetermined determination / transmission operation is input, and the input character “RAM” is transmitted to the server 1300.
[0098]
In FIG. 14, server 1300 receives an input character (step S108), and determines the character type of the received input character (step S110).
[0099]
If the character type is not “kana” (step S110; YES), server 1300 executes input character conversion processing. That is, server 1300 reads sub headword 33b including the input character from national language dictionary DB 33 (step S112).
[0100]
Then, if the sub headword 33b including the input character is stored in the national language dictionary DB 33 and can be read (step S114; YES), the server 1300 converts the input character into the read sub headword. The input character is converted into a headword 33a corresponding to 33b (step S116), and the converted input character is transmitted to the mobile phone 1100 (step S118).
[0101]
If the sub-entry word 33b including the input character does not exist in the Japanese language dictionary DB 33 and cannot be read (step S114; NO), the server 1300 executes the English kana conversion table in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The input character is converted to a kana character by referring to 34 or a kana conversion table 35 (step S120; corresponding to steps S14 to S20 in FIG. 7). Then, the input characters after conversion are transmitted to mobile phone 1100 (step S118).
[0102]
The mobile phone 1100 receives the converted input character (step S122), updates the input character to the converted input character that has been received and displays it (step S124), and returns to step S104.
[0103]
FIG. 15B is an example of the screen display in step S132. In the input column B2, the converted input character "ram" is displayed instead of "RAM". The user can add further characters to the converted input characters while viewing the screen display. If this is the case, a predetermined selection / transmission operation is performed and the converted input character “ram” is transmitted to the server 1300.
[0104]
In FIG. 14, when the character type received by server 1300 is “Kana” (step S110; YES), server 1300 reads headword 33a including the input character from national language dictionary DB 33, and sends it to mobile phone 1100 as a headword candidate. It transmits (step S130).
[0105]
The mobile phone 1100 receives the headword candidate (step S132), and displays a list so that the user can select it (step S134). When the user selects a headword to be checked from the displayed list by a predetermined selection operation, mobile phone 1100 transmits the selected headword 33a to server 1300 (step S136).
[0106]
The server 1300 receives the headword 33a selected from the headword candidates (step S138), and explains the headword 33a and the subheadword 33b from the Japanese language dictionary DB based on the headword 33a. The information 33c is read and transmitted to the mobile phone 1100 (step S140).
[0107]
The mobile phone 1100 receives the entry word 33a, the sub entry word 33b, and the description information 33c (step S142), and displays them on the display 1102 (step S144). Therefore, the user of the mobile phone 1100 can know the meaning of the input character.
[0108]
FIG. 15C is an example of a screen display in a state where the entry word candidate list is displayed. The entry word 33a including the converted input character "ram" is displayed as the entry word candidate B3. Since the user wants to check “RAM”, the user selects “Ram [RAM]” by a predetermined operation and transmits it.
[0109]
FIG. 15D is an example of a screen displaying the headword B4, sub headword B5, and explanation information B6 received from the server 1300. Therefore, the user does not need to convert characters including alphabets and numbers into kana readings and input kana for “RAM”, and can input “RAM” in English as it is normally used. Good. Input characters that are different from the character type of the entry word 33a in the Japanese language dictionary DB 33 are automatically converted to kana characters by the server 1300. In the case of the figure, “RAM” is converted to “ram”, and the mobile phone 1100 can obtain the target information.
[0110]
In the present embodiment, the information terminal device that accesses the server 1300 is not limited to the mobile phone 1100, but may be an information terminal such as a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), a notebook computer, an electronic clock, an electronic dictionary, or the like. It may be a device.
[0111]
As described above, the first to third embodiments to which the present invention is applied have been described. However, the application of the present invention is not limited to this. Addition / deletion may be performed.
[0112]
For example, in the above embodiment, in order to use a Japanese national language dictionary database, foreign English characters are converted to Japanese "kana", but when an English dictionary database is used, Conversely, a configuration may be used in which kana characters are converted to English. In addition, it is needless to say that other foreign language character types may be used instead of the English characters.
[0113]
In the input character conversion process, the conversion is executed by referring to table data such as the English kana conversion table 34 and the kana-kana conversion table 35. However, the conversion is performed only by the input character conversion program 32 without the table data. Needless to say, it may be configured to execute.
[0114]
Further, in the above-described embodiment, the alphabet is once input with the alphabet keyboard, and then converted into the kana reading by the conversion operation. However, the kana reading may be directly input.
[0115]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, when a character type is selected and an input character is input from the keyboard, the input character is converted into a character of the character type of the entry word included in the set information by the conversion means. Then, the display control unit reads an entry word that matches the converted input character from the set information. For this reason, even if the character type at the time of input from the keyboard is different from the character type of the entry word of the set information, the target explanatory information can be displayed accurately.
[0116]
In the conversion of the input characters, when the character type of the input character is an alphabet, the reading of the alphabet for each character of the input character is changed to the input character represented by a kana which is the character type of the entry word of the set information. In the case of conversion, if a character to be looked up in a dictionary is input in alphabets (alphabetic characters), the input alphabet can be converted for each character into a character represented by a kana of a character type of a headword of the set information.
[0117]
In addition, when the character type of the input character is an alphabet, a Roman character reading conversion unit that converts a Roman character reading of the input character into an input character represented by a kana, which is a character type of a headword of the set information, is provided. In this case, if a character to be looked up in the dictionary is input in alphabets (English characters), the input alphabet can be converted into characters represented by kana, which is a character type of a headword of the set information in Roman reading.
[0118]
Further, when the character type of the input character is Arabic numerals, when converting the Japanese character reading of the input character into an input character represented by a kana, which is a character type of a headword of the set information, the character is Arabic numeral. Is input, the input Arabic numeral reading can be converted into a character represented by a kana which is a character type of a headword of the set information. Therefore, it is only necessary to input the number itself without inputting the reading of the number, so that usability is improved.
[0119]
Further, if the set information includes additional words corresponding to all or some of the headwords, and in the conversion of the input characters, if the set information includes additional words that match the input characters, When converting to an entry word corresponding to this additional word, the character type of the input character can be switched to a character type appropriate for a search in the set information targeted.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an exemplary view showing an example of an appearance of a portable electronic dictionary according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the portable electronic dictionary according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a Japanese language dictionary database (DB) according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a data configuration of an English kana conversion table according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a data configuration example of a kana-kana conversion table in the first embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process according to the first embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in an operation example (1) according to the first embodiment, showing a case where “PDA” is checked using a Japanese language dictionary DB.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in an operation example (2) according to the first embodiment, showing a case where “RAM” is checked using a Japanese language dictionary DB.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in an operation example (3) according to the first embodiment, showing a case where “eighty-eight nights” is checked using a Japanese language dictionary DB.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen in an operation example according to the second embodiment, showing a case where “RAM” is checked using a Japanese language dictionary DB.
FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a server according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the flow of a process according to the third embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen display on a display according to the third embodiment, showing a case where “RAM” is checked by a Japanese language dictionary service.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 CPU
20 RAM
22 Input character storage area
24 Entry word candidate storage area
30 ROM
31 Character type switching program
32 Input character conversion program
33 Japanese language dictionary database
34 English Kana Conversion Table
35 Kana conversion table
36 Website Management Program
40 Operation input unit
41 Input character type switching operation section
1200 Portable Electronic Dictionary
1202 display
1220 keyboard
1224 Character type switch key

Claims (10)

Storage means for storing a set of information obtained by associating headwords and explanation information with each other;
Selecting means for selecting a character type of a keyboard when inputting an input character;
Input means for inputting an input character with a keyboard character type selected by the selection means,
Conversion means for converting the input character of the selected keyboard character type input by the input means to a character of the headword character type included in the set information;
Display control means for performing control to read out and display headwords corresponding to the input characters converted to the character type of the headwords by the conversion means from the set information, and
An information display control device comprising: The converting means, when the character type of the selected keyboard is an alphabet, converts the reading of the alphabet of each input character to an input character represented by a kana which is a character type of a headword included in the set information. 2. The information display control device according to claim 1, further comprising an alphabet reading conversion unit for converting. The converting means converts a Roman character reading of the input character into an input character represented by a kana which is a character type of a headword included in the set information, when the character type of the selected keyboard is an alphabet. The information display control device according to claim 1, further comprising a conversion unit. The set information includes an additional word corresponding to all or a part of the entry word, and the conversion unit adds an additional word matching the input character according to the selected keyboard character type to the set information. The information display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a unit configured to convert the input character into a headword for the additional word, if included. The conversion means, if the character type of the selected keyboard is a number, and if the character type of the entry word included in the set information is a kana, the sum of the input characters sum and numeric reading of the input character represented by a kana The information display control device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising numeral reading conversion means for converting. Editing means for editing the input character converted by the converting means,
The post-editing input character information display control, wherein the display control means performs control to read out and display an entry word matching the input character edited by the editing means and explanatory information of the entry word from the set information. Having means,
The information display control device according to claim 1, wherein: In a server connected to the user terminal via a predetermined communication line,
Storage means for storing set information in which information in which headwords and explanation information are associated with each other is collected;
Receiving means for receiving input characters from the user terminal;
A conversion unit that converts the input character received by the reception unit into a character of a character type of a headword included in the set information;
Transmitting means for transmitting, to the user terminal, a headword matching the input character converted into the character type of the headword by the conversion means, and explanation information of the headword;
A server comprising: The server according to claim 7, further comprising a converted input character transmitting unit that transmits the input character converted by the converting unit to the user terminal. On the computer,
A storage function of storing a set of information obtained by associating headwords and explanation information with each other;
A selection function for selecting the character type of the keyboard when entering input characters,
An input function of inputting input characters with a keyboard character type selected by the selection function,
A conversion function of converting the input character of the selected keyboard character type input by the input function to a character of the headword character type included in the set information;
A display control function of performing control to read and display headwords and explanation information of the headwords that match the input characters converted to the character type of the headwords from the set information by the conversion function,
The program to realize. A computer connected to the user terminal via a predetermined communication line,
A storage function of storing set information in which information in which headwords and explanation information are associated with each other,
A receiving function of receiving input characters from the user terminal;
A conversion function of converting the input characters received by the reception function into characters of the character type of the entry word included in the set information;
A transmission function of transmitting to the user terminal a headword that matches the input character converted to the character type of the headword by the conversion function, and explanatory information of the headword;
The program to realize.

Images